Week 4: Power Rankings
Illinois Drops as the Big Ten Tightens
Every week we’ll be releasing a “Power Rankings” that aims to provide a fluid picture of how each team across the NCAA is doing at the moment and where we see them heading. The (+) or (-) next to each team relates to how far they rose or fell from the week before.
This year’s Power Rankings are the top 18 teams in the country based on the average individual rankings of four individuals:
Bailey Perez (former Stanford gymnast)
Ben Cooperman (former Penn State gymnast)
Jess Frankl (photographer/CGA Social Media Director)
Max Soifer (former Washington gymnast)
1. OU (-)
The Sooners will have a few weeks off as the rest of the field competes to take the number one spot from them. OU will be back against Ohio State on February 20th.
2. Stanford (-)
Stanford remains in the number two spot after not competing this past weekend. The Cardinal will make their much anticipated season debut this Wednesday in a virtual competition against W&M.
This weekend: Stanford, William & Mary (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 10 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
This weekend: California @ Stanford (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 13 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
3. Michigan (-)
The Wolverines retain their 3rd place rank this week after their second week off due to COVID-19 concerns within the Michigan athletic department. Their next contest is slated for Sunday, March 7th at home against Iowa.
4. Penn State (+1)
Behind the dominance of Michael Jaroh and Matt Cormier, Penn State jumps one spot in the rankings and looks to be on the heels of Michigan. The Nittany Lions will face yet another tough test on the road at Ohio State this week where they will look for their third Big Ten win of the season.
This weekend: Penn State @ Ohio State Sunday, Feb 14 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
5. Nebraska (+1)
Nebraska climbs one spot after a successful season debut against Penn State where they posted a 403.05. A clear strength for the Huskers is the pommel horse where they put up a team score of 68.65, the highest score in the NCAA this season. Nebraska has the potential to be one of the strongest teams in the B1G, but they will need to make improvements on their parallel bar and high bar performances. The Huskers have their first home competition of the season this Saturday against Minnesota.
This weekend: Minnesota @ Nebraska Saturday, Feb 13 at 3:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
6. Illinois (-2)
A week off resulted in a two-rung drop to sixth in the rankings for Illinois. The Illini will look to make their way back to their previous spot when they take on Iowa in Iowa City this Saturday, February 13th.
This weekend: Illinois @ Iowa Saturday, Feb 13 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
7. Ohio State (-)
The Buckeyes came away with a decisive victory over Minnesota at home this past weekend. They will face a tougher test on Sunday when they face a surging Penn State team.
This weekend: Penn State @ Ohio State Sunday, Feb 14 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
8. Iowa (-)
Iowa remains in the number eight spot after a bye week. The Hawkeys face off against Illinois this Saturday and will have the opportunity to improve their team ranking in this B1G battle.
This weekend: Illinois @ Iowa Saturday, Feb 13 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
9. Minnesota (-)
Minnesota held onto the ninth spot in the power rankings this week. The Golden Gophers were missing two big scorer’s in their lineup as both Shane Wiskus and David Pochinka did not compete. Instead, the Gophers were led by Michael Moran to score a 387.25. As Minnesota settles into a very strange 2021 season, they will try to push aside significant adversity and regain the form that we are used to seeing from teams coached by Mike Burns. Minnesota will face off against Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday, February 13th.
This weekend: Minnesota @ Nebraska Saturday, Feb 13 at 3:00PMEST
How to watch: BTN+
10. Navy (-)
With the All-Academy Championships this coming weekend, Navy will look for another victory in a competition they have dominated over the past few years.
This weekend: Air Force, Navy @ Army (All-Academy Championships) Saturday, Feb 13 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: TBD
11. Cal (-)
The Golden Bear’s weekend performance of a 380.70 against Army was below that of their first competition, however, they remain in the number 11 spot after capturing the win. They will take on Stanford in a virtual competition this Saturday and look to improve upon their week 4 team score.
This weekend: California @ Stanford (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 13 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
12. Air Force (+1)
A second week off proved helpful for AirForce as they moved up to the 12th spot in the power rankings this week. The Falcons will duel it out with Army and Navy at the All-Academy Championships this Saturday, February 13th in West Point.
This weekend: Air Force, Navy @ Army (All-Academy Championships) Saturday, Feb 13 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: TBD
13. Arizona State (-1)
The Sun Devils drop a spot in the rankings but will have a chance to make up some ground as they take on Temple this weekend in a virtual meet.
This weekend: Arizona State, Temple (Virtual) Sunday, Feb 14 at TBD
How to watch: GymACT Live
14. Army (-)
Army’s 371.55 was not enough to climb in this week's rankings. Once the Black Knights start executing pommel horse and high bar, they will look to move up a few spots by hunting down ASU, Air Force, and Cal.
This weekend: Air Force, Navy @ Army (All-Academy Championships) Saturday, Feb 13 at 1:00PMEST
How to watch: TBD
15. Springfield (-)
Yet to show off their well recruited Freshman class, Springfield College remains in the 15th slot. Springfield will kick its season off with a two-contest week starting on Wednesday February 17th in a virtual matchup against Cal followed by a visit from Army on Saturday. February 20th.
16. W&M (-)
The Tribe stay at number 16 as they patiently wait to kick off their season virtually this Wednesday against Stanford.
This weekend: Stanford, William & Mary (Virtual) Wednesday, Feb 10 at 2:00PMEST
How to watch: Video (Free Video/Stats)
17. Washington (-)
Washington remains in the number 17 spot after not competing this past weekend. After news of head coach Giancarlo Mora stepping down from his position, we will have to see how this impacts the Huskies for the remainder of the season.
18. UIC (-)
UIC maintains the 18th and final spot in the rankings this week after cancelling their contest with NIU this past weekend due to COVID-19 concerns. The Flames are slated to take to the airwaves in a virtual match up with Georgia United this Saturday, February 13th.
This weekend: Georgia United, UIC (Virtual) Saturday, Feb 13 at 7:00PMEST
How to watch: GymACT Live